Ink distributing mechanism



y Sept. 4, 1945. Y v w.- F. HucK 2,383,970

' INK DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM I Filed H1118 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet ll /67 f ATTORNEY sept. 4, 1945. w F'. HyCK 2,383,970

y INK DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1942 5 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR Wzlhm EHucK BY ,Y

ATTORNEY Sept. '4, 1945*. w. F. HucK INK DISTRIBUTING MECHANISIM\ Filed June 15, 1942- 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY sept. 4,' 1945. W F HU'CK 2,383,970

INK DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 T l fi, :l 38

9 Y l /l l 11 /57 MM/j//SZJ/Zf Y a INVENTOR ATTQRNEY Sept. 4, 1945 w. F. HuK

INK DISTRIBUTING MECHANISM Filed June 15, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNvElyToR Willz ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1945 INK DIST'RIBUTING MECHANISM William F. Huck, Richmond Hill, N. Y., assigner to R. Hoe & Co., Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York v 'Application -June 15, 1942, Serial No. 447,091 p claims. (Crm1-T352) This invention relates to printing machines, and more particularly tov improved ink distributing mechanism for rotary printing machines in which cooperating ink distributing cylinders and rollers are constructed and arranged to receive ink from any suitable source ofsupply and deposit the ink in a uniform film on rotary printing forms.

There are existent certain types of rotary print- ,ing machines which employ Well known ink distributing mechanism in which inking or form rollers operably engage rotary forms to supply the requisite quantity of ink thereto, and these machines incorporate interrupter mechanism which automatically move the inking rollers from engagement with the form when the printing cylinders have been moved or tripped from printing relation.

There are also printing machines in Which certain of the ink rollers of an inking mechanism are secured to a'movable frame componenty and this component may be moved relative to the machine frame to thereby move certain of the rollers `from cooperable engagement with other inking components of the inking mechanism.

There also exists printing machines having the entire inking mechanism mounted on a portable or movable frame which is so arranged that the entire inking mechanism may be moved from operable engagement with the printing cylinders.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved inking mechanism for rotary printing machines in which ink distributingrollers may be .moved,` under control of an operator, to and from cooperable relation with other components of the l inking mechanism, or in vwhich formrollers may be moved to and from cooperable relation with the printing form.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved inking mechanism for a printing machine having rotary ink distributing cylinders and a rotary printing form, the inking mechanism incorporating means for moving ink rollers, under the control of an operator', to and from operable engagement with theink distributing cylinders and the printing form. i

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved inking mechanism' for a printing machine having a rotary form or plate cylinder on which arcuate printing forms or plates are secured, and the plates so'arranged on the cylinder that the axially-disposed edges of adjacent plates are disposed in spaced relation so that a gap or space exists therebetween, the improved inking mechanism including a form roller operably engaging the printing surfaces of the plates to supply ink thereto, and stop members for engaging the form rollers to hold them against movement towards the form cylinder'when the gap betvveen adjacent printing plates is passing the form roller.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved inking mechanism for a printing machine having rotary ink distributing cylinders and a rotary printing form, the inking mechanism incorporating means for moving ink rollers, under the control of an operator, to and from operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and the printing form, and to support ink rollers f ln either their operative orinoperative positions.

It is also an object of this invention to provide in a printing machine an inking mechanism of generally. improved construction and arrangement, Where-by the device will be simple, durable, and inexpensive in construction, as well as convenient, practical, serviceable and eiiicient in its use. l

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which Will appear as ther description. `proceeds, the invention resides in the combination'and arrangement of parts; andin the details-of 'construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that various changes in form, proportion and minor details of construction may be made Within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of the invention.

For a complete disclosure of the invention, a detailed description thereof will now be given in connection vwith the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specicatiomwherein:

Figure lI is a side'elevation of a printing unit which incorporates the improvedv inking mechanism; I

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken o-n the line 2-2 of Figur 1; i

Figure 3 is a fragmental vertical sectional view taken through one side of the' printing unit, as indicated by the line 3-3 in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmental vertical sectional view taken on the line 4`4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmental horizontal sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure'3;

Figure 6 is a fragmental horizontal sectional View taken on the line `i--i of Figure 3;

Figure 7 is'a fragmental vertical sectional view taken 011 the line l--l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmental vertical sectional view depicting a modied form of inking mechanism;

Figure 9 is a similar View of another and preferred form of the improved inking mechanism,

the View being taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 10;

Figure 10 is a plan view, parts being shown in section, of the improved mechanism disclosed in Figure 9;

Figure 1l is a fragmental vertical vsectional View, taken on the line ll of Figure 10, depicting a component of the inking mechanism, shown in Figure 9, in a different operative position.

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a printing unit,

similar to Figure 1, but which incorporates a parts, there is depicted a modern high speed rotary printing unit I5,.which is best seen in .Figure 1.. The. unit depicted is of the newspaper type, although it is to be understood, of course, that this improved ink distributing .mechanism is applicableto other typ of rotary printing machines. The unit I5 includes a frame having side members I6 .which rotatably support two printingy couples, each couple including an impression cylinder i'I and a plate or form cylinder I8, which are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings carried by the side member IB of the machine frame. Each plate orform cylinder I8 supports curved printing plates or forms 2I (Figure 3), which are arranged on'the form cylinder. in conformity with the usual practice, so that adjacent axially-disposededgesof the plates are located in' spaced relation tcleave a space or gap 22 therebetween, the plates being secured to the cylinder, by the usual plate clamps, in conformity with the usual practice .well .understood by those skilled in the` art.` y,

The printing faces of the. plates on each plate cylinder I8 have kink supplied thereto throughan improved ink distributing mechanism, which includes an upper ink distributing cylinder 2'5 .and a.v lower ink distributing cylinder 26, each linl: distributing cylinder having a'shaft 2l` which is supported for rotary and reciprocatory movements in bearings supported by the side member IB of the machine frame, Yin conformity with the usual. practice. Inasmuch as the mechanism for rotating the ink distributing cylinders and the mechanism for reciprocatingthese cylinders are well understood by those skilled in the art, such mechanism has not been depicted in this application.

Form rollers 28 operably engage eachl upper ink distributing cylinder and the forms or plates 2l on each' plate c'ylinder I8. `Transfer rollers 30 operably engage the. upper and'lower ink distributing cylinders 25 and 26 ateach side thereof. Ink distributing rollers 3| operably engage each lower ink distributing Ecylinder 2B, and these form rollers and ink distributing rollers are held against l'axial or longitudinal movement but are movable transversely towards and away from the form cylinder and ink distributing cylinders by a mechanism ywhich willlbe hereinafter dis.- closed. Each 'roller-28, 30 and 3| is .provided with a shaft '32, and each shaft 32 has an. antifriction bearing unitr33 suitably secured to each terminal thereof,.as best seen in Figures', 4, 5 vand '7., Each bearing unit 33. includes an inner bearing ring 34, whichv is secured on a reduced v4i) is snugly received within a cylindrical shell or housing 42, having a radially-disposed terminal flange 43, which forms the outer terminal of the bearing unit and which is arranged for engagement with instrumentalities to be hereinafter 'disclosed to thereby limit the axial movement of the ink distributing roller.

The inner face of'each frame side mem-ber I6 is provided with spaced vertically-disposed face plates 45, which are secured to the inner face of the side member I6 by screws 46 (Figure 3), or other suitable securing devices. Each face plate provides a closure for an elongated verticallydisposed recess 4l, formed in each side member I6 Aof the machine frame, and each recess 41 receives components of the improved inking mechanism to be hereinafter disclosed.

Each face plate 45 is provided with cylindrical recesses 48 (Figures 5 and 7) which extend intoV the plate from its inner face, and these recesses 48 are preferably located in substantially axial valignment with the rollers 28, 39 and 3l when these rollers are in their operative position, which position is depicted in Figure 3. Each recess l48 is reduced in diameter at the outer face of the face plate 45 vto provide an annular retaining flange 49 for cooperation with instrumentalities to be hereinafter disclosed.

An abutment device is received within each recess 48, and each abutment Adevice includes an abutment disc or member 50, having a flange 5l vformed on the peripheral portion thereof, which is received for sliding axial movement within the recess 48, and the abutment member 5I) normally projects beyond the outer face of the face plate 45 and engages the terminal flange 43' of the bearing unit shell 42. Each abutment member 5B is provided with axially-disposed recesses 52 for the reception of helical extension. springs 53, and one terminal of each spring 53 engages the bottom of the recess 52.` Its opposite engages a disc, or plate 55 whichis received within the recess 4B and normally abuts the inner face.

of the side member I6, so that the normal tendency of the extension spring 53 to expand axially causes the springs to react against the vplate or disc 55 and force the abutment member 5.0 against the terminal flange 43 of a bearing. unit shell. 42, tothereby hold the ink .distributing or form. roll-er against excessive axial movement,'rbirt permits suicient axial movement thereof to `perform a cushioning or; shock-absorbing function. The abutment member 5U and disc 455 are secured in assembled relation by a rivet 56,. which is rigidly secured to the disc 55, but. permits limited .axial movement of the abutment member 5i). The abutment member 59 and disc 55 are held .against rotation by a pin or key 5l.

Each faceA platev 45 has spaced .bearing blocks .58 (Figures 3, 4 and 5) secured to the' upper terminal thereof., and these `:bearing blocksextend into a recess 411 and*V .are provided. with aligned bearings for the reception of hubs 5:5... which are formed on a worm wheel 63 having internal screw threads which engage threads 62 on the upper portion of a vertically-slidable shaftglg, which is held against rotation. Each,wormawheel;63 is held against axial movement by thrustringspr washers interposedbetween it and the.bearing block 58, and the worm wheel 63 is operablyengaged by a worm 65 carried on ahorizontallydisposed shaft 66 rotatably mounted in bearings 61 supported by the side member I6 of the machine frame. One terminal of each .shaft 66 is provided with a wrench engaging surface 68-gfor the reception of a crank wrench 10, shewnin Figure 3. By this arrangement, rotation of the. crank rotates the shaft 66 and its worms.65,.fand the intermeshing teeth of each worm 65 and worm wheel 63 rotates the worm wheel 63, thereby elevating or lowering the shaft 6| in thefworm wheel 63 and in its intermediate slide bearing 60 and lower slide bearing 64a carried by the face plate` 45, and best seen in Figures i and 6. f y

Each Vertically-disposed shaft 6| has `a plurality of rectangular collars 1| (Figure 4) each secured thereto by a pin 12. One side of each collar 1| engages the plate 115, and thershaft 6| is thus prevented from turning, although permitted to move vertically. A helical extension spring 14 abuts against each collar 1| and surroundsv a sleeve or tube slidably mounted on theshaft 6|, and each sleeve is rigidly secured to a stud 1-6 which extends through a vertically-disposed slot 11 formed in the face plate 45 and rotatably supports a roller 18 at its outer terminal. Each' 'stud 16 has a slide plate or closure 19 secured thereto and which slidably engages the inner faceof the face plate to provide a closure foreach slot/11. By this arrangement, the Vertical recess #l1 is completely closed to protect the components therein against extraneous matter and to also house lubricant if desired.

The upward movement of each vertically-slidable shaft 6 is limited by a stop surface 90, formed at its upper terminal, engaging the upper terminal of the recess 41, (Figure 4),"and upward sliding movement of the sleeves 15 along the-shaft 6|, in response to the tension of the Asprings 1d,

is limited by stop collars 8|, which are pinned vor otherwise secured to the shaft 6|.

Each face plate l5 has an upper cam 82 or'82a, (Figure 3) an intermediate cam 83, and a lower cam 85 each mounted for pivotal movementl about a fulcrum stud 96, which is suitably secured vto the face plate, and each fulcrum stud 86 is received within a cylindrical aperture 81 formed in each cam, as best seen in Figure 6. Each camis provided with alroller-engaging surface 88 l(Figure 3), which is engaged by a roller 16 to move each cam about its fulcrirm or pivot study 66.

Each lower cam `85 is provided with an arcuate cam or supporting surface 90 which is adapted to engage the peripheral portion of a bearing unit 33 to support a lower ink distributing roller 3| in operable or inoperable positions. Each inter'- mediate cam 83 is provided withan arcuate cam or supporting surface 9| adapted to engage the peripheral surface of the bearing unit 33 of a transfer roller to support the roller in operable or inoperable positions. The upper cams 62 and 82a are provided` with arcuate cam or supporting surfaces 92 adapted to engage the peripheral portions of the bearing units of the form rollers to thereby support the rollersinoperable or inoperable positions. It will be seen that the rollers 28 and 39 are held in the position shown in Figure 3, by the combined action o-f two forcesthe force applied to the bearing units 33 by the cam faces 92 and 9| respectively, and also the force of gravity. As shown in the' drawings, the cam faces 9| are so shaped that the resultant of the two forces is exerted in a horizontal plane and presses the rollers 30 with substantially equal force against the cylinders 25 and -26 and the cam faces 92 are so shaped that the rollers.28 are also pressed with substantially equal force against vthe cylinder 25 and the platesZ Obviously, by changing the pressure angle of the cam faces or the `strength of the springs 14, the distribution of pressure may be predetermined to be either equal, or unequal to any desired extent.

The peripheral portion of the bearing unit 33 of one form roller 28 is engaged by a stop-surface 93 formed on a stop member 95, which is fulcrumed or pivoted t0 the side member I6 of the machined frame on a fulcrum stud 96, as best seen in Figures 3 and 4. The stop member 95 is pivotally secured to a link or rod 91, as indicated at 98, and the outer terminal of the link or rod 91 extends through an aperture formed in a lug |00 carried by the side member I6 of the machine frame. VThis rod has an adjusting nut, |0|

. threaded thereon, and the peripheral portion of the nut is provided with apertures for the reception of a pin wrench, not shown, By rotating the nut |0| with a pin wrench, the stopsurface 93 is moved to engagement with the bearing unit 33 of a form roller 28 to hold the form roller against movement towards theaxis of the `form cylinder when the gap 22 between adjacent printing plates 2| carried by the form cylinder is passing the engaged portion of the form roller. An extension spring |02 is mounted on the link 91., and one terminal of `this spring engagesa collar |03 secured to the link, and the opposed terminal engages the lug |00 to thereby constantly force the nut |0| into engagement with the stud to prevent any backlash in thethreaded engagement between the link 91 and nut |0| and to also secure the nut against unintentional rotation. `A stop member |05, which is similar in function to the stop member 95, has a stop surface |06 which engages the bearing unit' 33 of the second form roller, and this stop member is pivotally secured to the side member I6 of the machine frame on a fulcrum stud |01. A link or rod |09 is pivotally secured to the stop member, as indicated at H0, and the outer terminal of this link passes through an aperture formed in a lug and this outer j terminal is provided with threads to receive; an

adjusting nut H2, similar to the nut lul. 'This link is also provided with an extension spring 3 which is similar in construction and operation to the spring |02.

In the operation of the improved ink distributing mechanism, the ink distributing cylinders and rollers cooperate to work the supplied ink into a uniform film which is deposited on the form carried by the form cylinder, and the ink is preferably supplied to the lower ink distributing cylinder by any suitable supply means, which means has not been depicted because it does not form a part. of this invention. When it is desired to move the ink distributing rollers and form rollers transversely into operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and form cylinders, the crank 10 isiplaced on each shaft 66, and the shafts 66 are rotated until the stop surface 89 at the upper terminal of each vertical shaft 6| engages the upper terminal of the recess 41, as shown in Figure 4. When each shaft 6| has reached the limit of its upward movement, then the upper cams 82 and 82a, the intermediate cams 83 and the lower cams 85 will have moved about their fulcrum studs 85 to their uppermost position, as shown in Figure 3,' in which position the arcuate cam surfaces 92 of the upper cams 82 and 82a engage the peripheralsuriaces ,of` the bearing units 33 of the form rollers 28, so that these form rollers are forced into correct operable engagement with the upper ink distributing cylinder 25 and the printing surfaces of the plates or forms 2| carried by the form cylindersil8. The form rollers 28 are secured in their operable position against movement away from the upper ink distributing cylinder 25 and the form cylinder I8 by the upper cams 82 and 82a, but as zthe gap 22 between adjacentprinting plates V2| passes thev bite between each form roller 28 and the form cylinder I8, `eachform Vroller-tends to lump toward the axisof the form Vcylinder |8. This action, however, is prevented by the stop members 85 and |55, because the stop surfacesllS and |06 of these stop-membersI so engage the peripheral surfaces of the bearing units 33'4 of the form rollers 28'as to prevent them moving radially towards the axis of the form cylinder. During the normal operation of the ink distributing mechanism, the ink distributing rollers and form rollers are rotated, and the ink distributing cylinders are both rotating and reciprocating. The drag of the reciprocating ink distributing cylinders 25 and 26 on the engaged ink distributing rollers and form rollers tend' to axially move these rollers, but these rollers, as hereinbeiore stated, are held against excessive axial movement by the spring-pressed abutments 58. "These abutments, however, yield sufficiently to produce a 82a, 83 and 85, through theinterposed studs 'l5 and roller 18, to cause these cams to hold the .ink distributing rollers and form rollers under correct operable tension against the ink distributing cylindersv 25, 26 'and the vplates 2| `on 'the form cylinder I8.

When it is desired to movethe form rollers 28 .and ink distributing rollers,v 80 and 3| `from engagement with the forms and the ink distributing cylinders, the cranklll is applied to each shaft |35 t rotate the shaft in -a direction which isfoplEed to its previous operation, thus causing the 'worm Wheels or nuts 53 to rotate and lowerfthe shaft.

thereby lowering the studs 16 and rollers'l. As n the rollers 'I8 descend, the cams 82, 82d, 83 and 85 move downwardly about their iulcrums, thus permitting the form' rollers 2,8 and 'ink distributing rollers 30 and 3| to move from operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and the forms on the form cylinder I8. These Icams also support the form rollers and ink distributing rollers in'their inoperative position. i'

It will be observedthat the-supporting surface 90 of each lower cam 85 is shaped to 'support an ink distributing roller 3| in inoperative position and to also force the ink distributingl roller against the ink 'distributing cylinder`25 -forcorrect operable engagement. lh'ef supporting sur-l face 9| of each intermediatecra-m` 83 is Yslia'pecI to support a vtransfer or ink distributirig roller 3Q in its inoperative position and tdalsouforceuthe ink distributing roller against both 'the upper ink distributing cylinder 25 andl'ower ink distributing cylinder 26 in correct operable relation. This vis alsotrue of the upper cams 82 and 82a, because their arcuate supporting surfaces 92 are shaped to support the form rollers 28 in their inoperative position' and to also force these rollers against the printing faces of the plates 2| on the form cylinder I8 and against the peripheral surface of the upper ink distributing cylinder 25 when -in operative position. I'he cams 82 and 82a are similar in construction and operation, except the cam 82 has some dimensions increased to accommodate the elevated position of the right hand form roller 28 relative to the left hand form roller 28,l as viewed in Figure 3.

In Figure 8 a modied form of the invention is depicted, in which the ink distributing rollers and cylinders hereinbefore disclosed are employed. The lower ink distributing rollers 3| are engaged by rider rollers |28 which are rotatably supported by yokes |2| which are carried by the lower ink distributing cylinder 25a, the yoke being operably secured to the cylinder shaft 21a through interposed anti-friction bearings' |22 lwhich are constructed. and arranged to permit limited vertical movement of the yoke |2| relative to the ink distributing-cylinder shaft 21a, therebypermitting the rider rollers |25 to rest on the lower ink distributing rollers 3|. Inasmuch as the yokes I2| are carried by the reciprocating ink distributing cylinder 26a, these yokes impart reciprocatory movement to the rider rollers |20, so that they reciprocate relative to the axially-stationary ink distributing rollers 3|, to thus aid in better distributing thefsupplied ink. The' intermediate ink distributing or transfer rollers 3U are supported in a manner hereinbefore disclosed except that the right hand roller is rsupported spaced relation relative to the lower ink distributing cylinder l 25a. It has been found in practice that, under certain operating conditions, the supplied ink is better distributed by operating this transfer roller out of engagement with the lower ink distributing cylinder. Form rollers 28 are supported in a manner hereinbefore disclosed, except the cams or levers82b and 82e are provided with slots |23. shown at the left of Figure 8, to operably receive therein the `upper rollers 78 whichare raised and lowered by the vertical shaft 5| Lfor .a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Rider rollers |25 are located to operably engage the form rollers 28, and these rider rollers are rotatably carried by supporting arms |25 which are pivotally secured to a bracket |21, as indicated at |28. Fingers or projections |38 extend outwardly from the supporting arms |26, and these ngers are pivotally secured to rods I3|. Each rod ISI has one terminal slidably mounted in a lug or poppet |32 which is swiveled to the bracket |21. and a helical extension spring |33 surrounds each rod I3I and has one yterminal abutting a poppet |32 and its opposed terminal abutting an adjusting collar or nut |35 which is threadedly secured to the rod. The springs press outwardly on the collars |35 and force the supporting arms |26 to move about s their pivots |28 to thus bias the arms |28 for movement in a direction towards the form rollers, so that the rider rollers |25 are pressed into operable engagement with the form rollers 28. The degree of tension or bias exerted by the springs |33 may be' adjusted by manipulating. the adjusting collar |35. A surface |35 of each cam or lever 82h and 82e, seen at the left of Figure 8, overhangs a 'roller |31 carried by each supporting arm |26'. Inasmuch as the rider rollers |25 are bias towards engagement with the form rollers 28, itis necessary to force these rollers from engagement with the form rollers when it is desired to separate these rollers. As the upper rollers 18 move downwardly with the vertically-movable shafts 6|.v

these rollers engage thel lower part or wall of the slots |23, thereby moving the levers or cams 82D and 82o downwardly above their pivots or fulcrums 85 until the surfaces |26 engage the rollers |31, and then further downward movement of the cams 82h and 82e swing the supporting arms |26 outwardly about their pivots |28, thus moving the rider rollers from engagement with the form rollers 28. As the rods El are moved downwardly, the lower ink distributing rollers 3|v move from engagement with the lower ink distributing cylinder 26a. and also from engagement with the rider rollers |20.

In the mechanism hereinbefore disclosed in Figure 8, one rider roller has -been provided for operable engagement with a form roller, but it has been found that although the provision of one rider roller for each cooperating roller effects a marked improvement in uniform ink distribution. that two rollers still further improves the uniformity in the distribution.

An arrangement in which two rider rollers are` provided for each form roller is disclosed in Figw ures 9, 10 and 1l of this application. In this arrangement, the form rollers 28 are supported in operable engagement with the form cylinder, not

shown, by cams or levers 82d and 82e, which are pivoted on studs 86 supported by the side member of the machine frame, and these cams or levers are swung about their pivots 86 by the upper rollers 18, which engage the slots |23d, similar to |4| are pivotally secured to each side of the bracket |40 by pivot pins |42. The complementary plates |4| are held in pairs in spaced relations by spacing studs or bolts |43. Rods |are pivotally secured to each `bracket |49, as indicated at |46, and the opposed terminal of each rod is slidably received in an aperture formed in a rock shaft |41 pivotally secured to the lower terminals of the lever plates |4|. Each rod |45 is surrounded by an extension spring |43. which Apresses outwardly on a slidable sleeve i551 that engages the rock shaft |41, thereby biasing the united lever plates |4| upwardly about their pivots or fulcrum pin |42*5 for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed.

A rock plate or support member |5| is mounted for rocking movement between each pair of spaced lever plates 14| on a swivel pin l 52, which is located midway between the terminals of the rock plates. Each rock plate I5! is provided with two arcuate recesses |53, one recess being located at each side of the swivel pin and preferably equidistant therefrom, for the reception of bearing units 33 which rotatably support the rider rollers |54, so that two rider rollers are provided for each form roller. Each roller |54is supported by the bearing units 33 in the same manner ythat the ink distributing rollers hereinbefore disclosed are supported. In order to permit limitedl rocking movement of the bearing units 33 fof'the rider rollers |54 relative to the spaced lever plates |4'|,

` these lever plates are provided withl rvaxially* aligned recesses |55, which are located in approximate alignment with the axes ofthe rider rollers |54 when such rollers are in theirnormal operative position, as disclosed in Figure 9. Inasmuch as the bearing units 33 which support the rider rollers |54 are mounted in recessesl |53 formed in the rock plates' |5|, each rock'plate will rock about its swivel pin |52 as the rider rollers |54 are forced into engagement with the form rollers 28 by the upward movement of the lever plates |4| about their pivot pins |42.responsivel`to the tension exerted by the springs' |48, yand'thereby equalize the pressure of the rider rollersr |54 against the form roller 28. i i v When it is desired to move 'the rider rollersI 54 from engagement withthe form rollers 28, 'and the form rollers from engagement with the form cylinder, the vertically movable shafts 5 I, hereinbefore. disclosed, are moved downwardly by manipulating the crank 1D, and the downward movement of these'shafts causes rtheir upperro'llers 18 to engage the lower surfaces of the slots |230, formed in the cams 82d and 82e, thereby causing thesel cams to swing downwardly about `their pivots 36. As each cam moves' downwardly, it releases a form rollery 28, and its roller' |38 engages a flat surface |56 formed on a lever plate 4|, thereby forcing the pair of plates to move downwardly about ltheir pivot pin`l42, vthus moving' their rider rollers |54 from engagement with the form rollers 28. During the initialdown`- ward movement ofthe cams 82d and 82e about their pivots 36, the bearing unit 33 of each forrov roller 28 engages a trough-shaped stop plate' |51 carried by the side' member I5 of the machine frame, and the stop'plates |51 support the form roller 28 in this position, thereby preventing fure ther movement of the form roller away from the form cylinder, and continued downward movement of the cams 82d and 82e separate the rider rollers |54 from the supported form rollers 28, as

. the ink distributing rollers and form rollers'to and from operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and form cylinder of reach printing couple in the printing unit. This mechanism includes reversible electric motors |60 vwhich are secured to suitable gear housings |6|,` which housings are, in turn, secured to one side membery Mia of the machine frame. Each vmotor |60 drives spur gears |62l which are operably supported in the gear housing |6 and these gears drive a hori' with a bevel gear |12 carried by a horizontal i shaft 66a. Each shaft 66a is provided lwith Iworms 65 to mesh with worm wheels 63, to operate in the manner hereinbefore disclosed, in order to raise and lower the vertically-movable,shafts 6|, to thereby move the form rollers and ink distributing rollers into operable `engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and form cylinders,

vor to `move the said rollers from engagement therewith.

By this arrangement motor-control switches, not shown, may be located at selected stations for convenientmanipulation by the machine operators, and the form rollers and ink distributing rollers may bemoved into operable engagement with the form cylinders and ink distributing cylinders simply'by establishing an electric current to each motor to operate it in one direction, or the rollers may be moved to inoperative positions by causing the motors to rotate in the opposite direction.

It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific-forms without departing from the `spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. A

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and useful is:

l. In an rinking mechanism for a printing machine having Aa cylinder, a roller adapted for cooperable engagement-with the-cylinder, a bearing at each end of the roller and each bearing having a component whereby the roller is 'rotatably supported, means for engaging the said component of each bearing to hold the roller against axial movement but permitting floating transverse movement of the roller, movably-supported members each having an open arcuate supporting surface shaped to engage the said component of each bearing and move the roller transversely into operable engagement with the cylinder and to support the roller ,inl operable engagement with the cylinder-and also support the roller in a position away from engagement with the cylinder, and means for moving the said movably-supportedlmembers to move the roller' into operable engagement with the cylinder or to permit movement of the roller away from engagement with the cylinder. Y A

2.v In an inking mechanism. for a printing machine having a plurality of cylinders, a roller adapted for cooperable engagement with two of the cylinders, a bea-ring. at each end of the roller and eachbearinghaving a component whereby the roller is rotatablyv supported, means for en gaging theV said component of each bearing to hold the roller against'axial movement but permitting floating transverse movement of the roller, movably-supported members each having an open arcuate supportingsurface shaped to engagethe said component of each bearing and move the roller transversely tinto operable engagement with the ,cylinders `and to supportthe roller in operable engagementwith the cylinders and also support the, roller in a position away from engagement with the cylinders, and means` running engagement with the ink .distributing cylinder, a bearing at each end of each roller and each bearing having a component whereby the roller is rotatably supported, means for engaging the said component of each bearing to hold veach roller againstv axial movement but permitting lll.

oating transverse movement of the roller,I movable roller supports which engage the said components of the bearings for the form rollers and the ink rollers, 4andrneans for simultaneously moving the roller supports to bodily move the form rollers and the inkrollers into and out of engagement with the forms and ink distributing cylinder. f

4. Inan inking kmechanism for a printing machine having. a form cylinder and an ink distributing cylinder, a form roller in running engagement with formslon thefonn cylinder and with the ink distributing cylinder, ink rollers in running engagement with the ink distributing cylinder, a rider roller in running, engagement with the form roller, a bearing at each end of each roller and each bearing having a component whereby the roller is rotatably supported, means for engaging the said component of .each bearing to hold each roller againstVV axial movement but permitting iioating transversemovement o-f the roller, movable roller-supportslwhich engage the said components of the bearings-for the form roller, the rider roller and the ink rollers, and means for simultaneously moving/the roller-supports to .bodily moveA the said rollers into and out of contact with the members ywith which they have-running engagement. i

5. In an inking mechanism for a` rotary printing machine having two ink cylinders towhich ink is supplied, an ink roller in running engagement with both cylinders, a bearing at each end of each roller and .each bearing having a component wherebythe roller is rotatably supported, means for' engaging the said component of each bearing to hold each roller against axialmovement but permitting iloating transverse movement of the roller, movable roller supports having open curved Surfaces which engage thefrotatable components of the bearings Ifor supporting the ink roller, and mechanism for engaging the supports to move the `ink roller toward and away from the cylinders, the said mechanism being arrangedto exert a force o-n the supports in such direction as to compensate for the force of gravity on the roller to thereby press the ink roller against each cylinder with substantially cylinders, bearings for the ink roller, means for holding the ink roller against axial movement but permitting iloating transverse movement thereof towards and away from the ink distributing .cyl-

inders, movably-supported members, a segmental arcuate supporting surface formed on each .movably-supported member and shaped to engage an ink roller bearing to move the ink roller transversely into operable engagement with both ink distributing cylinders and to support the ink roller in operable engagement with both ink distributing cylinders and also support the ink roller in a position in which it is moved from engagement with the ink distributing cylinders, and means for moving the moVably-supported member to move the `ink roller into operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinders and to permit movement of. the ink roller away from operable engagement withthe ink distributing cylinders.

7. InA an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary ink distributing cylinder, an ink roller adapter for cooperable engagement with the ink distributing cylinder, bearings for the ink roller, means for holding the ink roller against axial movement but permitting free transverse movement thereof away fromv the ink distributing cylinder, a movably-supported member adapted to engage an ink roller bearing to move the ink roller transverselyinto operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinder and to support the ink roller in operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinder and also support the ink roller in a position in whichit is moved from engagement with the ink distributing cylinder, and power-driven means operable under control of an operator for engaging and moving the said member to move the ink roller into operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinder and to permit movement of the ink ro-ller away from operable engagement with the ink distributing cylinder.

8. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a form cylinder, a form roller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder, means for holding the fonm roller against axial movement but permitting floating transverse movement thereof towards and away from the form cylinder, a bearing carried by the form roller at each end thereof and each bearing having a component whereby the form roller lis rotatably supported, movably-supported memport the form roller in a position in which it is 5 moved from engagement with the form cylinder, and means for moving the said movably-supported members to thereby move the form roller into operable engagement with the'form cylinder and to permit movement of the form roller from operable engagement with the form cylinder.

9. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary form cylinder, a form roller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder, bearings for the form roller, means for holding the form roller against axial movement but permitting free transverse movement thereof towards and away from the form cylinder, movably-supported members having open curved surfaces adapted to engage the form roller bearings to move the form roller transversely into operable engagement with the form of-,the form roller and to hold the roller againstmovement towards the form cylinder thereby preventing movement of the form roller towards the form cylinder when the said gap operably passes the form roller. 11. In an inking mechanism fora printing machinevhaving arotary form cylinder and ar- -cuate forms supported by the peripheral portion of the form cylinder in spaced relation to provide an axially-disposed gap therebetween, a rotary form roller operably engaging the forms on the form cylinder and biased for movement towards the form cylinder, bearings for the form roller, a pivotally supported stop member positioned to engage a form roller bearing, a threaded link pivotally secured to the stop member, a Xed lug, a nut engaging the threads of the link and abutting the lug to adjustably move the stop member into engagement with a roller bearing to hold the roller against movement towards the form cylinder thereby preventing movement of .the form Y roller towards the form cylinder when the said cylinder and to support the form roller in operable engagement with the form cylinder and also support the form roller in a position in which it is moved from engagementwith the form cylinder, and power-driven means under control of an operator for engaging and moving the said member to move the form roller into operable engagement with the form cylinder or to permit movement of the form roller away from operable engagement with the form cylinder.

l0. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary form cylinder and arcuate forms supported by the peripheral portion of the form cylinder in spaced relation to provide an axially disposed gap therebetween, a rotary form roller operably engaging the form on the form cylinder and biased for movement towards the form cylinder, a bearing carried by the roller at each end thereof and each bearing having a component whereby the roller is rotatably supported, non-yieldable stop members each adapted to engage the said component of each bearing vform roller.

gap is operably passing the form roller, and means to take up the backlash between the threads of the nut and the link.

12. In an inking mechanism for a printingv machine having a rotary form cylinder and arcuate forms supported by the peripheral portion of the form cylinder in spaced relation to define an axially-disposed gap therebetween, a rotary form roller operably engaging the forms on the form cylinder and biased for movement towards the form cylinder, a bearing unit operably secured to each terminal of the form roller to support the form roller for rotative movement, each bearing unit having a component whereby the roller is rotatably supported, means for engaging the said components of the bearing units to prevent substantial aiiial movement of the form roller, and pivotally supported stop members each adjustably positioned to engage thev said component of each bearing unit tohold the form roller against movement towards the form cylinder when the said gap is operably passing the v13. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary form cylinder and' arcuate forms supported by the peripheral portion of the form cylinder in spaed relation to dene an axially-disposed gap therebetween, a rotary form roller operably engaging the forms on the form cylinder and biased for movement towards the form cylinder, a bearing unit operably secured tol each terminal of the form roller, each bearing unit having a component whereby the form roller is rotatably supported, plates for en.- gaging the said components of the bearing units to prevent substantial axial movement of the form roller, a pivotally supported stopv member, a link pivotally secured to the stop member, a lug slidably receiving the link, and an adjusting nut threadedly secured to the link and engaging the lug to adjustably position the stop `member in engagement with a bearing unit component td prevent movement of the form roller towards the form cylinder when the said gap is operably I movable about its pivot to move the ink roller transversely into cooperable engagement with the cylinder and movable about its pivot to permit movement of the ink roller away from operable engagementV with the cylinder, an axially-slidable shaft, a collar secured to the shaft, a stud slidable relative to the shaft, a roller rotatably supported by the stud, an extension spring surrounding the shaft and interposed between the collar and stud, and means for axially moving the shaft to thereby compress the spring between the collar and stud to force the roller on the stud into engagement with the cam thereby moving the cam about its pivot to force the ink roller into operable engagement with the cylinder.

l5. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine `having a rotary cylinder, anink roller adapted-for cooperable engagement with the cylinder, bearings for the ink roller, a pivotally supported cam engaging an ink roller bearing and movable about its pivot to move the ink roller transversely into operable engagement with the cylinder and movable about its pivot to permit movement of the ink roller away from operable ed lever, va rockable member supporting the rider engagement with the cylinder, an axially-slidable A shaft, a collar secured to the shaft, a stud slidable relative to the shaft, a roller rotatably supported by the stud, an extension spring surrounding the shaft and interposed between the collar and stud, means for axially moving the shaft to thereby compress the spring between the collar and stud to force the roller on the stud into engagement with the cam thereby moving the cam about its pivot to force the ink'roller into operable engagement with the cylinder, and means for limiting the axial movement of the shaft in the direction in which the movement compresses the spring so that the spring exerts a predetermined bias on the engaged stud.

y 16. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine having a rotary form cylinder and a rotary ink distributing cylinder, a formroller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder and ink distributing cylinder, bearings for the form roller, a rider roller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form roller, a movablysupported cam having a segmental arcuate surface adapted to engage a form roller bearing to move the form roller transversely intov operable engagement with the said cylinders and to support the form roller` in operable engagement with the said cylinders, a movably-supported lever for supporting `the rider roller for transverse movement towards and away-from the form roller, means Afor constantly biasing the lever for move. ment in a direction to move the rider roller into engagement with the form roller, andgmeans Vunder control of an ,operator for moving the cam to move the form roller into operable engage- 1 for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder and ink distributing cylinder, bearings for the form roller, a plurality of rider rollers adapted for cooperable engagement with the form roller, a movably-supported cam having a segmental arcuate surface adapted to engage a, form roller bearing to move the form roller transversely into operable engagement with the said cylinders and to support the form roller in operable engagerollers Afor rocking movement relative to the lever, the lever and rockable member supporting the rider rollers for transverse movement towards and away from the form roller, means for constantly biasing the lever for movement in a direction to move the rider rollers into engagement with the form roller, and means under control of an' operator for moving the cam to move the form'roller into operable engagement with the said cylinders or to permit movement of the form roller away from engagement with the said cylinders, movement of the cam in one direction causing the came to engage the lever to forcibly move the lever to move the rider rollers from engagement with the form roller.

i8. In an inking mechanism for a printing machine havinga rotary form cylinder and a rotary inkv distributing cylinder, a form roller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder and ink distributing cylinder, bearings for the form roller, a rider roller adapted for cooperable engagement with the form cylinder, a movably-supported cam having a segmental arcuate surface adapted to engage a form roller bearing to move the form roller transversely into operable engagement with the said cylinders and to support the form roller in operable engagement with thesaid cylinders, a movably-supported lever for supporting the rider roller for transverse movement towards and away from the form roller, means for constantly biasing the lever for movement in a direction to move the rider roller into engagement with the form roller, means independent of the cam for supporting the form roller in a position in which it disengages the said cylinders, and means under control of an operator for moving the cam to move the form roller into operable engagement with the said cylinders or to permit movement of the form rolleraway from engagement with the said cylinders and into engagement with the said supporting means, movement of the cam in one direction causing the cam to engage the lever to move the lever and move the rider rollers from engagement with the supported form roller.

19. In. a printing machine, an inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a plurality of rollers arranged to move independently to and from operable engagement with the cylinder, bearings for the rollers, Aindependent movable members having cam surfaces for engaging the said roller bearings, and means under control of an operator for simultaneously engaging the movable members to force their cam surfaces into engagement with the roller bearings for moving the rollers in unisoninto and out of engagement with the cylinder and to hold the roller surfaces into engagement with the cylinder surface to exert predetermined surface pressure.

20. In a printing machine, an inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, a roller arranged to move to and from operable engagement with the cylinder, bearings for the roller, movable members each having an open cam surface of 'predetermined conguration and adapted to engage a roller bearing, and means for moving the movable members to thereby move the roller into and out of operable engagement with the cylinder, the configuration of the cam surfaces of the movable members being arranged to so engage the roller support as to compensate, for the gravity pull on the roller so that the roller is held with its surface in contact with the cylinder surface under predetermined surface pressure.

21. In a printing machine having a form cylinder, an inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, form rollers adapted to operably engage the form cylinder and ink cylinder, means for simultaneously moving the rollers from engagement with the cylinders, spring biased rider rollers operably engaging the form rollers, and means for moving the rider rollers from engagement with the said rollers.

22. In a -printing machine, an inking mechanism including two spaced ink cylinders, a roller arranged to move to and from operable engagement with both cylinders, bearings for the roller, movable members each having an open cam surface of predetermined conguration and adapted to engage a roller bearing, and means for moving the movablel members to thereby move the roller into and out of operable engagement with the cylinders; the cam surfaces of the movable members being arranged to so engage the roller bearings as to compensate for the gravity pull on the roller so that the roller is forced into engagement with both cylinders with its surface in contact with the cylinders under predetermined surface pressure.

23. In a printing machine having a form cylinder, an inking mechanism including an ink cylinder, form rollers adapted to operably engage the form cylinder and ink cylinder, spring biased rider rollers operably engaging the form rollers,

bearing to force the roller into engagement with both of the cylinders with equal pressure.

25. In a printing machine, an inking mechanism including two spaced ink cylinders, an ink roller arranged to move to and from engagement with both cylinders, bearing units rotatably supporting the roller, a cam member having an open cam surface to engage and support each bearing `unit so as to press the' roller against both cylinders, and resilient means for moving the cam members to thereby move the roller into and out of operable engagement with the cylinders; the open cam surface of each cam member being formed to press against a bearing unit at such an angle that the force of gravity acting on the roller and the Ipressure of the cam mem-bers on the bearing units acting together will press the roller with substantially equal force a-gainst both cylinders.

WILLIAM F. HUCK. 

